Darren Chester (Gippsland, National Party, Deputy Leader of the House) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Grayndler for his question and say that it's a great day when I get to answer questions on behalf of my great friend, the Leader of the National Party and Deputy Prime Minister, on all the things he's delivering in New England—all the things the Turnbull-Joyce government is delivering in New England.

The member for Grayndler likes to refer to projects as being funded by Labor. The problem for the member for Grayndler is he doesn't understand a very basic principle: it's actually funded by the Australian taxpayers. The hardworking Australian taxpayers provide the money for Treasury and Finance, and we make decisions on the priorities and how we're going to spend that money and deliver value for money for the Australian taxpayers.

The member for Grayndler says it was funded by Labor, but it wasn't built by Labor. They didn't build it; they didn't build a thing. Bolivia Hill—didn't build it. Tenterfield bypass—didn't build it. Melbourne-Brisbane inland rail—didn't build it. The member for Grayndler didn't build it. I don't believe New England has ever had better representation in this place than the Leader of the National Party and Deputy Prime Minister. He is delivering road and rail infrastructure. He is delivering better bridges through the Bridges Renewal program. He is delivering safer roads through the Black Spot Program—

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